What's needed to fix the oval - By Paul Ellercamp
St.George & Sutherland Shire Leader

Kogarah Council may be asked to find up to $350,000 to support the
St.George-Illawarra Dragons' return to Jubilee Oval next season,
if the State Government provides a grant to support the oval's
upgrade.

The Dragons have been encouraged by the state to apply for a grant by
the Regional Sports Facility Program, which allocates money on a
dollar-for-dollar basis.

Applications for the next round of grants were called yesterday, They
close on September 11, with allocations to be announced in October or
November.

In practice, it will be the council that applies for the grant, as
owner of the ground.

With the club looking at applying for up to $350,000, this means the
state will be looking to the council to match that amount.

It also puts a budget for the ground upgrade at about $700,000,
including state and council contributions.

Kogarah Council two weeks ago approved a $100,000 program, shared
with the club, for first stage maintenance.

Mayor Jim Taylor said he was looking at options for raising the money
involving "outside" sources.

He said that council did not have the funds itself, and there was
"no way" they would borrow to provide them.

Cr Taylor has written to the Premier, the Minister for Sport and
Recreation, the State Opposition and local MPs seeking support for
the push to get the Dragons back to Kogarah.

All local MPs are supportive of the push. Minister for Sport and
Recreation Morris Iemma, a local and a Dragon supporter, had met with
the club and encouraged the grant application, said Dragons chief
executive Peter Doust.

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